Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Stuff Your Stockings : Almond Cranberry Coconut Granola


It's been one of those years, one of those seasons. Both the boyfriend and I are in college, and paying out of pocket, so outside of all the normal financial responsibilities, it has been a tight holiday season. Enter, the homemade holiday gift. I loved the idea of granola. Mixed by hand, toasted in my warm oven, and packed up lovingly in vintage glass jars. Since I didn't think these jars should be placed under the tree (nose level for the dogs? I think not) I'm going to tuck them away inside everyones stockings. Christmas morning, the boyfriends mother will be receiving a basket packed with this granola, greek yogurt, & home blended black tea - easy Christmas breakfast ready to eat. Plus, it's the least I can do considering my family is whisking the boyfriend and I away for the holiday.


I can't tell you exactly how I came about it, but, as soon as I saw the combination of dried cranberry, almonds and coconut over at Two Peas and their Pod, I knew it was the recipe I was going to make. It's so simple both in preparation and ingredient list. I wish I could bake a batch in my oven every single morning, because the smell is something wonderful. Sweet, nutty, toasty - it was reminiscent of sweet sticky buns mixed with oatmeal cookies. Phenomenal to say the least. And the taste is just as good as the scent, the cinnamon adds a touch of spice, the coconut and the dried cranberry give it a slight chew, while the oats are sweet and crunchy. So simple, so delicious, I may never buy granola again. I'm slightly fearful that those who will be pulling these jars from their stockings won't want to either, and will be looking to me to fill their future granola fixes! 

Stay tuned, I've got a few cookie recipes on the way, and one long look back at this last year - food blog style! 

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